NRLD - 330733 | Stenodactylus arabicus

Assessment ID

330733

Taxon name

Stenodactylus arabicus

(Haas, 1957)

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National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Stenodactylus arabicus

(Haas, 1957)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Reptiles

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

reptilia

Order

squamata

Family

gekkonidae

Genus

Stenodactylus

Species

arabicus

Species authority

(Haas, 1957)

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

In a recent study, Nazarov et al. (2018) described a new species from Iran and proposed the validity of the genus Trigonodactylus Haas, 1957. However, since Stenodactylus is a monophyletic genus of similar age to the other geckos and the study by Nazarov et al. (2018) does not include S. pulcher, we consider that the new genus is not justified and therefore we use the taxonomy proposed by Metallinou et al. (2012) and Metallinou and Carranza (2013).

Location and scope

Specific locality or subnational name or regional name

United Arab Emirates (the)

Scope (of the Assessment)

National

Countries included within the scope of the assessment

United Arab Emirates (the)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Least Concern

Abbreviated status

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is widespread from the sandy deserts of Ras al Khaimah to as far southwest as Jebel Dhanna in the Gharbia, and inland as far as the edge of the mountains. This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide range within the UAE, lack of significant threats, and presence in several protected areas throughout its range. This taxon is not a non-breeding visitor, and it is presumed that any immigration from populations outside the UAE is not significant, and therefore there is no adjustment to the Category according to the IUCN regional and national Guidelines (IUCN 2012).

Assessment details

Year assessed

2018

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is widespread throughout sandy desert areas of the UAE, from Ras al Khaimah to as far southwest as Jebel Dhanna in the Gharbia (Gardner 2013) and As Sila in the west, and inland as far as the edge of the mountains, including from the Al Khatim area and towards Um az Zumul on saline plains and sabkhas. It has also been recorded from Sir Bani Yas Island. It occurs from sea level to 300 m asl.This species is restricted to the Arabian Peninsula, present in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, central Yemen, southern Kuwait, southern and central Oman and the United Arab Emirates (Metallinou and Carranza 2013, Carranza et al. 2018). It is found from sea level to 500-600 m asl.

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Not_assigned

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species is found on soft windblown sand, in areas with dunes or sand sheets and sparse or scattered vegetation from sea level to 300 m asl (Gardner 2013). It is a ground-dwelling nocturnal species that is abundant in suitable habitat. Females lay clutches of a single oval egg during the warmer months from May to October (Gardner 2013). Arnold (1977) reports it from fine windblown sand, but that it is also found on firmer substrates. They predate on small insects. There is ongoing habitat loss in coastal areas, but this is not significant given the wide range in the UAE.

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

There are threats in coastal areas, but these are not significant.

Publication

UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles

Els, J., Allen, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles. MOCCAE, UAE